India Expands Defence Ties with African Nations

India Expands Defence Ties with African Nations

VoM News Desk | September 25, 2023 | 09:37 AM IST | Breaking News, Security | Follow on Google News

India Expands Defence Ties with African Nations: Strengthening Security Engagement in Africa

India is intensifying its defence cooperation with African countries, following its support for the African Union’s bid to attain permanent membership in the G20. As part of this strategy, India is set to deploy additional defence attaches (DAs) to Mozambique, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast, further enhancing its presence on the African continent.

Broadening Defence Attaché Presence

In addition to the existing military officers stationed in South Africa and Kenya, the new DAs will represent all three branches of the Indian armed forces—the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Army will dispatch DAs to Mozambique and Ethiopia, while the Navy, which already has naval attaches in Kenya and South Africa, will assign new officers to Djibouti and Tanzania. The Air Force, meanwhile, will post an officer to Ivory Coast, along with additional attaches to Spain and Armenia. These officers will serve three-year terms and will be responsible for strengthening defence cooperation, facilitating training, procurement activities, and enhancing security partnerships. They will also monitor developments in military technology within their respective host countries.

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India Expands Defence Ties with African Nations: Renewed Focus on Africa

Multiple sources from the Indian military services have indicated a renewed emphasis on engagement with African nations, suggesting that more postings are being considered. An official stated, “More such movements will take place based on a fresher look and the way things are shaping.” This strategic move is part of India’s broader efforts to counter China’s growing influence in the region.

Enhancing Security Engagement

The increased presence of DAs is expected to bolster security engagement between India and the African continent, allowing for a better understanding of the security challenges facing African nations. Ruchita Beri, a consultant at MP-IDSA in New Delhi, emphasized that this expansion will enhance India’s security cooperation with African nations and improve its ability to address regional security concerns effectively.

India’s commitment to strengthening its defence ties with African countries underscores its growing diplomatic and strategic engagement on the continent, aimed at fostering mutual cooperation and countering external influence.

VoM News Desk

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